Here’s another casualty of the state budget crisis and the down economy: the American River Salmon Festival. It’s been canceled.

The state Department of Fish and Game has hosted the event for the past 12 years at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery near Rancho Cordova.

“This would have been the 13th. Unfortunately, 13 wasn’t lucky for us.”

Fish and Game spokeswoman Dana Michaels says budget cuts and furloughs have left the department unable to staff the event. Michaels says this year’s low salmon numbers also influenced the decision.

“The salmon are the guests of honor, the main event of the festival. And if we have a low turnout of salmon, that puts a damper on it too.”

The event cost about $120,000 last year…and a lot of that money was donated by sponsors. Michaels says this year, sponsors were less inclined to give in a bad economy. She says the festival could return next year.